John 5 19

John 5:19 kjv

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

John 5:19 nkjv

Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

John 5:19 niv

Jesus gave them this answer: "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

John 5:19 esv

So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

John 5:19 nlt

So Jesus explained, "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.

John 5 verses

John 5 19 Meaning

John 5:19 reveals Jesus' intrinsic unity and absolute dependence on God the Father. It clarifies that the Son's actions are not independent initiatives but perfect expressions and replicas of what He intimately "sees" the Father doing. This establishes His divine authority, not as self-derived, but as fully in sync with and reflecting the Father's will and work. It signifies perfect communion and identity of purpose within the Godhead, refuting accusations of working contrary to God or usurping His authority.

John 5 19 Context

John 5:19 follows immediately after Jesus heals a lame man on the Sabbath and commands him to pick up his mat, a violation of Jewish religious law according to the authorities (Jn 5:10-16). This act provokes the Jewish leaders to persecute Jesus and seek to kill Him (Jn 5:16). Their anger escalates when Jesus refers to God as "My Father," which they interpret as Jesus making Himself equal with God (Jn 5:18). Jesus' response in John 5:19, and the subsequent discourse (Jn 5:20-47), directly addresses this accusation, not by denying His equality, but by explaining the nature of His divine authority and operation in perfect unity and dependence on the Father. He clarifies that His equality with the Father does not mean independence from Him, but rather a perfect, mutual, and inseparable working relationship.

John 5 19 Word analysis

• Then Jesus answered and said to them: Introduces Jesus' response to the accusation of making Himself equal with God and breaking the Sabbath. This is a direct defense and teaching.
• Most assuredly: Greek: ἀμὴν ἀμὴν (Amēn amēn). This is a double "Amen," unique to John's Gospel. It serves as a solemn and authoritative declaration, emphasizing the absolute truth and certainty of what follows. It is a sign of weighty divine pronouncement.
• I say to you: Reinforces Jesus' authority as a divine teacher and witness to heavenly realities.
• the Son: Greek: ὁ υἱὸς (ho huios). Refers specifically to Jesus as the unique, divine Son of God. This term carries immense theological weight, implying His inherent divine nature and relationship to the Father, which was the core of the controversy.
• can do nothing: Greek: οὐ δύναται ποιεῖν οὐδὲν (ou dynatai poiein ouden). This is not an expression of weakness or inherent inability. Instead, it signifies a self-imposed mode of operation that is characterized by perfect unity and dependence on the Father. It speaks to the relational dynamic within the Trinity. Jesus chooses not to act independently, because His will is perfectly one with the Father's.
• of Himself: Greek: ἀφ' ἑαυτοῦ (aph' heautou). "From Himself" or "on His own initiative." This phrase emphasizes that Jesus does not originate actions independently or spontaneously apart from the Father's will and initiation.
• unless it is something He sees the Father do: Greek: ἐὰν μὴ βλέπῃ τὸν Πατέρα ποιοῦντα (ean mē blepē ton Patera poiounta). "Unless He sees the Father doing [something]." This "seeing" is not literal, physical sight but refers to a profound, intimate, and divine awareness, communion, and shared knowledge of the Father's purposes and actions. It signifies perfect comprehension and revelation within the Godhead. The Son is perfectly acquainted with the Father's ongoing activity.
• for whatever He does: Greek: ἃ γὰρ ἂν ἐκεῖνος ποιῇ (ha gar an ekeinos poiē). Refers to the Father's actions and works. This signifies all of God's active involvement in creation, providence, salvation, and judgment.
• the Son also does: Greek: καὶ ὁ Υἱὸς ὁμοίως ποιεῖ (kai ho Huios homoios poiei). The Son performs the same works as the Father. This asserts that Jesus' actions are not just similar to the Father's but identical in nature, power, and effect.
• in like manner: Greek: ὁμοίως (homoios). This adverb denotes identity or perfect correspondence, not just superficial resemblance. It highlights that the Son's works are qualitatively identical to the Father's, emanating from the same divine essence and power. This implies that the Son possesses divine prerogatives and performs divine works (like giving life, raising the dead, and judging).

John 5 19 Bonus section

This verse implicitly challenges anthropomorphic conceptions of divine hierarchy that might project human father-son dynamics onto the Godhead in a limiting way. It clarifies that the Son's dependence is a feature of divine perfection and unity, not subordination in essence. This Trinitarian teaching demonstrates the perfect co-operation and mutual indwelling that characterize the Godhead. For believers, it provides a model of obedience and dependence on God, though our dependence is that of a creature to the Creator, vastly different from the Son's divine oneness with the Father. It assures us that Jesus fully reveals the Father's heart and will because every action of the Son mirrors an action of the Father.

John 5 19 Commentary

John 5:19 is a foundational verse for understanding the divine relationship between Jesus and God the Father. In response to being accused of blasphemy for claiming God as His own Father, Jesus doesn't retract His claim of divine equality but profoundly redefines its nature. He explains that His equality doesn't mean acting independently from the Father, but perfectly in concert with Him. His "inability" to act on His own initiative (ἀφ' ἑαυτοῦ) is not a limitation of power but a chosen, essential mode of being, revealing the perfect unity of will and purpose within the Godhead. Jesus perfectly sees and perfectly replicates the Father's divine work (ὁμοίως), serving as the ultimate revelation of God. Thus, His miracles, teachings, and life are direct manifestations of the Father's ongoing work, offering direct access to understanding God Himself. This verse underscores Jesus' absolute co-equality, His divine identity, and His perfect submission within the Trinitarian dynamic, providing a framework for how the Son expresses His divinity on earth.